Team BKool CycleChat

[berty bassett]

Fine! Some features missing from the other platforms, like in-game (text) messaging, some of the BKOOL metrics (remaining distance of a (uphill) section) and of course no 3D roads - just video. The bikes also look a bit too oversized and older (thinner) frames. However the bikes on the Rwanda roads looked older - like 60's/70's bicycles. Most of them loaded with big bags, bananas or wifes!!!

done one of the Rwanda routes , the one that impressed me most had a 6ft door strapped to his back ! some had heavier loads but this one must have been the least aero - bit pointless putting head down and tucking elbows in ! - as you progress thru the game you can buy better frames and wheels , doesnt make a whole lot of difference unless you use a tt bike going up a hill - then you will struggle and a lightweight bike will get left behind going down hill - gives you something to spend your drops on though. the thing that used to annoy was you can see the bloke/target infront when you get 250ft away from them , but if a car or other obstacle gets in way of vision then he will disappear , but doesnt matter much really . they have just introduced a good new feature that if a person is riding at less than 100% reality then it will show you , also if its a dumb trainer it lets you know , its good because sometimes people come steaming up to you like you are standing still but may be riding at 30% reality so waste of time chasing . there are still some who weight dope , but in races they check all the metrics and dq people who dont look like they are playing by the rules , I got kicked out when my hr monitor decided to play up mid race

 

[Barbes66]

Thanks for setting that up @Randyberlin - I thought that was pretty decent. On a few occasions I lost one of the other avatars - seemed like it was when we were very closely bunched. I'm not sure if that's my set-up or a feature? Otherwise it seemed quite smooth. I used to notice a lag for 2 or 3 seconds on Bkool where it looked as if I was going up / down when the resistance said otherwise. Didn't have that tonight. I'll give MyWhoosh a go but I quite like the real world aspect of Rouvy - I know MW is a bit more than just a virtual world but I used to get a bit bored of IndieVelo's limited virtual world. The ability to pause the sub is helpful too as I wouldn't pay for the summer months.

Apols for the Discord background noise - I was out of reach of the laptop and forgot I'd left it on until I heard @Brusgaard in the distance. And I knew you wouldn't have waited...

 

[Brusgaard]

Thanks for setting that up @Randyberlin - I thought that was pretty decent. On a few occasions I lost one of the other avatars - seemed like it was when we were very closely bunched. I'm not sure if that's my set-up or a feature?

One of the riders disappearing is what it referered to as a “ghost” in our chat, ie. a see-through thing. Maybe it is Rouvy‘s way of not having a rider ride through another? I see the use if in a big bunch with 20 riders, but with only the 3 of us, it was a bit weird.

I tried changing the “ghost” setting from the default 3 to 0 mid ride, but it didn’t change anything. Maybe that setting has NOTHING to do with that see-through thing, or it can’t be changed while riding - IDK…

 

[<Tommy>]

I really like rouvy. For what it’s worth I think downloading the course in advance of riding it improves the graphics and lag. I’ve not used it in the a while but there we times riders disappear / re appear at random. Don’t know if that’s improved?

It is a bit sad Bkool has finally died. It was was a bit crap. But also quite charming in its own weird way.

 

[berty bassett]

The ghosts can be chosen to ride along with if there’s no one else on the course , some stay with you and some are stronger than you , you can also choose a riders time who has done it before ( if you know the rider is on par with you , choose him and a few more and it makes it fun , although they don’t react to an attack , if you choose slightly better opponents it’s hard work ) and if you have done a course before , you can choose your own ghost to ride with , like Tommy says , you can download the route and it helps not to eat all your power up

 

[Brusgaard]

The ghosts can be chosen to ride along with if there’s no one else on the course , some stay with you and some are stronger than you , you can also choose a riders time who has done it before ( if you know the rider is on par with you , choose him and a few more and it makes it fun , although they don’t react to an attack , if you choose slightly better opponents it’s hard work ) and if you have done a course before , you can choose your own ghost to ride with , like Tommy says , you can download the route and it helps not to eat all your power up

Yes, I expected the ghosts to be like the ghosts on BKOOL or the bots. Can’t remember what they were called on BKOOL, and the set-up-a-session website is not working.

 

[Randyberlin]

Overall it seems like we have a core group to keep the meet ups going.
What day or time would everyone prefer?
Should we try My Whoosh again?
I have to send My Whoosh an email to make any change. They set the meet up from a request.

 

[berty bassett]

every now and then they advertise a big race and well over 1000 take part , I think its so they can test things and see how things go , in the race itself you break into groups as per any race but sometimes people 'disappear '\the reappear just in front - annoying but getting better and definitely better when downloaded first
I will try to join whatever

 

[Randyberlin]

every now and then they advertise a big race and well over 1000 take part , I think its so they can test things and see how things go , in the race itself you break into groups as per any race but sometimes people 'disappear '\the reappear just in front - annoying but getting better and definitely better when downloaded first
I will try to join whatever

OK. Because everyone wants to be polite I’ll make a decision to go with Rouvy. You have enough fast guys at the front evenly matched and I’m recruiting slow riders to join me at the back.

So Thursdays and Saturdays? 7 pm Thursday and 5 Saturday?
Let me know if this works.

 

[berty bassett]

Will do Thurs boss

 

[<Tommy>]

I’m free all week so no excuses.

Thanks for sorting it Randy

 

[Breedon]

Count me in Randy, hopefully can do both depending on how I feel at the time 👍

 

[Randyberlin]

Next week’s race.


https://riders.rouvy.com/events/77d15550-b793-4eb2-8abe-73d56b5fd33c

https://riders.rouvy.com/events/b3a104e6-8b07-41a5-b1fb-37e5d58be492

 

[Rod McG]

OK. Because everyone wants to be polite I’ll make a decision to go with Rouvy. You have enough fast guys at the front evenly matched and I’m recruiting slow riders to join me at the back.

So Thursdays and Saturdays? 7 pm Thursday and 5 Saturday?
Let me know if this works.

6 pm Thirsday would be easier for me.

 

[Randyberlin]

6 pm Thirsday would be easier for me.

Sorry Rod. I already setup for 7. Maybe you can put a time in at 6 and rerun on Saturday? Or skip your CFBMBH meeting. (Crazy Fast Brothers of the Mountain Bikers and Hikers)